Monthly Archives: May 2010

When walking my dog Mackie in our tidy, suburban neighborhood, I zigzag back and forth across the street, trying to avoid lawns that are aggressively chemical-treated, as Mackie is always “nose to the ground” unless he hears something of interest … Continue reading →

It would be very helpful to consulting ecologists like me, if more information were available on the characteristics of habitats (soil textures, canopy cover, moisture levels, depths, slope aspects) that are used for hibernation and nesting of the various turtle species … Continue reading →

A sustainable landscape includes the habitat components needed by indigenous plants and animals. Turtles may carry their homes on their backs, but they still need suitable habitat to live in, in particular, for hibernation, for nesting, and to sustain their … Continue reading →

A sustainable landscape, even a suburban one, has travel corridors for wildlife, to allow movement to new food sources, nesting areas, etc. and to prevent inbreeding of isolated small populations (e.g. maintain genetic connectivity within a metapopualtion.) Once in a … Continue reading →

A fat, single bittersweet vine is twining high into the crown of a tree, and there are no nearby sprouts to be seen. However, should you sever that vine and neglect to promptly paint the cut stump with an herbicide, … Continue reading →

As it’s just a few days past Mother’s day, this blog has a parenting theme. Corny as it sounds, beech parents care for their children, and grow old surrounded by their families. American beech is one of our few full-size … Continue reading →

Likely as not, a large thicket of many plants that all look alike is in fact a multitude of clones from just a few plants, that have sent out root suckers. If one is willing to wait five to ten … Continue reading →